Boom!
Just when Sanada Aran thought he had completely taken care of the Root operative, the clone he had pierced through with Water Release suddenly crackled, transforming into pure lightning. In the blink of an eye, the current surged along the stream of water, racing straight toward him.
"Hmph! So it was a Lightning Release Shadow Clone… As expected of a Root ninja. Against an ordinary opponent, that trick alone would be enough to kill—or at least leave them in agony. But it's a pity… before me, Sanada Aran, no ninjutsu can prevail. Every technique you unleash only feeds my power!"
Ding!"Absorption of Lightning Release: Shadow Clone successful. Congratulations to the host—Wood Release: Multiple Clones obtained!""Congratulations to the host for unlocking the second Strange Flame: The Ten-Thousand Beast Spirit Fire! From this moment forward, all attacks may carry the Ten-Thousand Beast Spirit Fire, with the added ability to alter the form of ninjutsu!"
"Wood Release clones… That's the First Hokage Senju Hashirama's exclusive technique! Even the Sharingan can't distinguish them!"
"And this Ten-Thousand Beast Spirit Fire… not only does it add devastating elemental damage, but it can reshape ninjutsu into beast forms? How far can this ability go…?"
Curious, Aran questioned the system.
"The Ten-Thousand Beast Spirit Fire can manifest in any form the host imagines. It will never dissipate without your command."
"Damn… that's insane!" Aran muttered, his pulse quickening with excitement.
Without hesitation, he combined the Ten-Thousand Beast Spirit Fire with his Fire Release and Water Release techniques. In the next instant, roaring tigers, ferocious lions, sleek leopards, and entire packs of wolves erupted into being, all woven from fire and water, cloaked in the living aura of flame.
Each creature carried the destructive might of elemental jutsu and the savage strength of a predator. Even if they were torn apart, the flames would reform them endlessly. And with Aran's boundless chakra reserves, he could summon not just dozens, but thousands—an unstoppable tide of flaming beasts.
This power dwarfed ordinary ninjutsu.
"Perfect. From now on, these will serve as my summoned beasts. With this Ten-Thousand Beast Spirit Fire, wiping out an entire country would be child's play!"
The thrill of acquiring this ultimate weapon left Aran almost breathless. But then a thought struck him. According to the timeline of the manga he remembered, around this time, Naruto should be in the forest, unleashing his Shadow Clones against Mizuki.
"If I want to eventually absorb the Nine-Tails' power to strengthen myself, I should start by building trust with Naruto now."
Just then, a furious roar echoed from nearby.
"Dare to hurt Iruka-sensei?! I'll kill you!"
"That's Naruto!" Aran's eyes lit up. "Hold on, I'm coming!"
He sprinted toward the source of the cries.
When Aran arrived, Naruto had already summoned a thousand Shadow Clones, surrounding Mizuki. Fists and feet rained down like a storm, leaving Mizuki beaten black and blue, crumpled on the ground.
But just as Naruto turned his back to check on Iruka, Mizuki, bloodied and desperate, mustered the last of his strength and lunged in a final, vicious counterattack.
At that critical moment, Aran arrived, slamming his hands together.
"Wood Release: Clone Jutsu!"
A wooden double of himself appeared instantly, intercepting Mizuki's strike head-on.
"Aran, get out of the way!" Naruto and Iruka shouted in unison, their voices raw with panic.
"Damn it! Even a worthless dropout dares to stand in my way?!" Mizuki snarled, his eyes burning with hate. "Fine! I'll kill you first—then finish off Naruto and the old fool together!"
Completely unaware that he was facing nothing more than a clone, Mizuki raised his kunai high, ready to strike Sanada Aran down.